Reporting directly to the SVP/GM, this Executive position provides leadership and overall direction and management to Program Managers, the Quality Department, and associated support staff on specific development and production contracts and the output of quality products (including documents). The Vice President, Program Operations and Quality is responsible for leading the team focused on successful and profitable program execution, managing for quality results, positive and proactive customer relationship building and maintenance, mentoring and guidance to direct reports, growth of direct reports, development and ownership of program processes, effective interdepartmental relationships throughout the program and quality organization, proposal development (typically for follow-on work, or different work from an existing customer), program level risk management, regular program status reporting to company and corporate leadership, and lead level briefings to external customers and to corporate leadership.

Key Characteristics:

• Strong leadership capability
• Strategic thinking and effective application of strategies
• Strong mentorship capability
• Structured program management capability and ability to distribute this consistently among your staff
• Effective decision maker
• Relationship builder (internal and external)
• Program financial experience with DoD programs of $50M or more
• Program experience with international commercial military customers
• Technical Program management experience (production and development)
• Public speaking ability
• P&L experience at the responsibility level

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: * Leads the Programs and Quality Assurance organization toward defined strategic objectives and goals.

• Simultaneously provides leadership and guidance to interdependent programs and interfaces with all customers (internal and external) effectively.
• Leads Program Managers in the execution of all phases of a program from inception to completion.
• Leads Quality and Compliance Managers in establishing and conducting a quality program across the company operations to ensure high quality products/services (internally and externally) as well as compliance to company and program standards while maintaining a cost-effective approach to these endeavors.
• Ensures Program Management leadership of proposal preparation and negotiation on applicable efforts.
• Provides estimating resources/support, as required, for proposal development activities and quote preparation.
• Ensures program and department plans (e.g., budgets, schedules and status and risk reporting) are established and monitored.
• Ensures Program Managers effectively use integrated teams which may include: Purchasing, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Finance, Logistics Program Planning & Control and Administrative areas, such as Safety and Human Resources.
• Manages the functional program management and logistics and quality assurance.
• Drives revenue performance to budget and provides internal program reviews and accurate program forecasts.
• Responsible for the P&L on all programs and meeting contractual requirements.
• Responsible for the strategy, planning, organization, and implementation of systems and procedures for program management. Lays in new processes as required.
• Communicates with customers at the appropriate level, and mentors staff in appropriate and beneficial customer communications.
• With complete understanding of the companys capabilities, articulates the value of our Companys expertise to customers. Represents the Company to customers, government agencies and the public.
• Develops in-depth knowledge of the customer organization and establishes close personal relationships with key decision-makers.
• Ensures the customer perspective is defined, maintained, developed, monitored, and communicated to internal teams by Program Management.
• Fosters ethical conduct, practices, and personal integrity throughout the company to ensure the companys ability to attract and retain customers and employees in a highly competitive environment.
• Conducts professional briefings and technical meetings for executive management and customer representatives.
• Mentors Program Managers in program management processes.

Other Job Functions

• Regular customer contact.
• Typical responsibilities include managing proposal and department projects and budgets; achieving revenue/profit objectives; program performance at gross margin; and department spending objectives.

• Other duties as assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

• Directly manages the Program Management staff (matrixed cross-functional program teams consisting of engineering, manufacturing, contracts, procurement, quality, administrative, and other departments assigned to designated programs), Sr. Quality Manager, Quality Assurance lead, and the Program Logistics function.
• Performs supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, training, mentoring and developing employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding, coaching and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED: * Skills and abilities to provide technical and administrative guidance to staff for activities in defined scope of responsibilities.

• Ability to develop functional operations strategy and goals in alignment with overall company objectives.Sound reasoning and decision-making ability; strong analytical skills.
• Ability to interface with engineering, manufacturing, contract, procurement, quality, administrative and management personnel.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to maintain sensitive and confidential information as required by government standards
• Ability to interact effectively with peers and supervisors
• Ability to interact appropriately with the public when necessary
• Ability to adhere to workplace rules
• Ability to think analytically and produce accurate analysis and use good judgment to conduct assigned responsibilities accurately and effectively.
• Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles
• Demonstrated ability to partner with senior leadership team resulting in high levels of performance and customer satisfaction.
• Demonstrated use and understanding of Earned Value Management.

Experience and Skills:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: * BS Degree, MBA preferred; minimum 15 years directly related leadership experience working with the Department of Defense and major defense primes.

• Demonstrated responsibility for leading multi-disciplined teams on complex/large defense programs as a Program Manager or VP.
• Demonstrated accountability in a leadership role to other PMs for the development of program execution plans with ultimate profit and loss (P&L) responsibility preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership of support organizations preferred.
• Solid understanding of business management areas such as planning and financial controls.
• Solid understanding of defense contracting and government acquisition processes.
• Inclusive management style: able to lead and motivate team members and raise issues in a timely manner.
• Proficient in desktop computer applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance at the appropriate level (requires U.S. Citizenship.

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Office environment
• Ability to stand and sit for long periods of time
• Ability to perform repetitive motion (computer usage)
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds
• Ability to travel moderately, domestically and/or internationally.
• May work extended hours or weekends.
• May have some exposure to the manufacturing environment with potential exposure to uncontrolled climate conditions and potential exposure to noise, dust and hazardous chemicals/waste.